Demographics are updated as new information becomes available and changes to the plan occur. The intention of this information is to provide high level data on LEOFF Plan 2 and is in no way comprehensive. If your question is not answered here, please contact us.
Contribution and Funding Rates
Maintaining the financial integrity of the LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement system is a primary strategic goal for the Board. The methods adopted by the Board are intentionally set to provide stability to rates and assure the plan is fully funded.
LEOFF Plan 2 contributions are divided 50/30/20 percent between members, employers and the state.
Rates effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2025 will be enacted as follows:
| Member | 8.53% |
| Employer* | 5.12% |
| State | 3.41% |
*The employer contribution rate includes an administrative expense rate of 0.20 charged by DRS.
The funded ratio of the plan using the Entry Age Normal (EAN) valuation method is as follows:
| 2022 | 104% |
| 2021 | 104% |
Economic Assumptions
To ensure rates are being set appropriately, the Board works with the Office of the State Actuary to determine what assumptions should be made. The following are key assumptions. For information regarding actuarial methods and assumptions, please visit the Office of the State Actuary (OSA).
| Valuation Interest Rate | 7.00% |
| Salary Increase | 3.25% |
| Inflation | 2.75% |
Demographics: Summary of Plan Participants
Active Members
| June 30, 2019 | June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Active Members | 18,557 | 18,683 | 18,625 |
| Average Annual Salary | $114,085 | $122,513 | $129,107 |
| Average Age | 42.8 | 42.3 | 41.7 |
| Average Service Years | 13.6 | 13.1 | 12.4 |
Retirees
| June 30, 2019 | June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| # Service Retirees | 5,312 | 6,698 | 7,606 |
| # Disability Retirees | 473 | 543 | 615 |
| # Survivors376 | 279 | 333 | 376 |
| Total Annuitants | 6,064 | 7,574 | 8,597 |
| Average Final Average Salary (21-25 years of Service) | $8,967 | $10,037 | $10,037 |
| Average Monthly Benefit, retired in last year | $4,942 | $5,597 | $5,888 |
| Average Monthly Benefit, all retirees | $4,260 | $4,684 | $4,906 |
| Average Age at Retirement (LEO) | 55.9 | 56 | 55.9 |
| Average Years of Service at Retirement (LEO) | 23.5 | 24 | 24.1 |
| Average Age at Retirement (FF) | 57 | 57.2 | 57.2 |
| Average Years of Service at Retirement (FF) | 25.5 | 26 | 26.1 |
Active Membership by Profession - June 30, 2021
| Firefighters | 9,478 | 51% |
| Law Enforcement Officers | 9,205 | 49% |
| TOTAL | 18,683 | 100% |
Active Membership by Gender and Profession - June 30, 2021
| # Female | % Female | # Male | % Male | # Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firefighters | 685 | 7% | 8,793 | 93% | 9,478 |
| Law Enforcement Officers | 977 | 11% | 8,228 | 89% | 9,205 |
| TOTAL | 1,545 | 8% | 17,012 | 92% | 18,683 |
Employer Data
LEOFF Plan 2 members have a variety of professions, including fire fighters, emergency medical technicians; law enforcement officers (including sheriffs, university, port and city police officers); and Department of Fish and Wildlife enforcement officers. As of June 30, 2022, LEOFF members were employed by 393 employers, a large majority of those by cities.
| Employer Type | Employed Members |
|---|---|
| Cities | 5,118 |
| First Class Cities | 5,003 |
| Fire Districts | 4,756 |
| Counties | 2,872 |
| County Sub-Divisions | 434 |
| Ports | 205 |
| State Agencies | 136 |
| Higher Education | 92 |
Disability and Survivor Data
As of October 26, 2018, 8.5% of retirees have retired from a LEOFF 2 position due to a duty-related disability. Of those, 11.5% are classified catastrophic.
The following special one-time death benefits are also paid to survivors of LEOFF 2 members fallen in the line of duty:
| Year | State (effective July 1) | Federal (effective October 1) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $296,414 | |
| 2023 | $287,781 | $437,503 |
| 2022 | $279,399 | $422,035 |
| 2021 | $271,261 | $389,825 |
Social Security Participation
Based on the 2005 Employer Survey conducted by the LEOFF Plan 2 Board, 58.53% of Law Enforcement Officers, and 6.48% of Fire Fighters are covered by Social Security.
Annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
Annual COLA's are effective July 1 of each year and are based on your retirement date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I contact for questions?
The LEOFF Plan 2 Board will gladly assist you in answering questions regarding LEOFF Plan 2 pension policy, the Board's legislative activities or the status of Board-sponsored bills. Contact us at (360) 586-2324 or recep@leoff.wa.gov.
For questions regarding your retirement account information, please contact the Department of Retirement Systems. (800) 547-6657 or recep@drs.wa.gov.
How do I find out what issues the Board is working on?
Board staff is available to assist members Monday-Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, with some holiday exceptions. Access to Board agendas and materials are available 24/7 via our Board Meetings Archives page. Board meetings are open to the public.
How do I make benefit improvement suggestions to the Board?
LEOFF Plan 2 members who would like to suggest a benefit improvement should contact the Board member representing their Guild, Professional Membership Organization or Union with suggestions. Board members may then bring the proposal to the full Board for study, review and consideration.
Who is on the Board and how were they appointed?
Membership of the LEOFF Plan 2 Board consists of three law enforcement representatives, three fire fighter representatives, three employer representatives, one state representative and one state senator. Board Members serve varying terms and are appointed by the Governor. See the Governor's Boards and Commissions page for more information.
How is my benefit calculated?
The LEOFF Plan 2 retirement benefit is a defined benefit pension. With five years of service credit, you're eligible for a guaranteed lifetime retirement benefit based on a formula set by law:
2% multiplier x Years of Service x Average Final Compensation